The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-05
Cumberland Presby serias Char ch

CUMBERLAND fresby seriso Chufeh.
The Rev. II. A. Jones preached the
following sermon yesterday, the sub.
ject being, personal Liberty and Civ
illkitlon."
Romans VIII, l.3: "Lst every soul
be subject unto the higher pow.
ers, for there 10 no power but
Of God; the powers that be
are ordained Of God. Who 80 re-
sisteth the power, resisteth the ordi.
nance Of q cd; and they that resist
shall receive to themselves dsmnation.
For rulers are not terror TO good
works, bat 10 the evil"
In this chapter the apostle eIhorts
everyone TO obey the government Of
the country In which he lives,
whether a. be established by the con.
cent Of the governed, or by long use.
sge. That God had formed mankind
for society, aud that government was
necessity 10 maintaln order, peace
and 6afsty. Civil government then
being authorized by God, he who re
sis,s the established exercise Of II iu
any country resisted the authority al
God, and would bring upon h msel!
the condemnation Of God and men.
On the other hand, he modestly init.
n ates that rulers are the servants Of
God for the good OF the people, and
when they lose sight Of that gov.
ernmsnt degenerales Into tyranny.
l. Government 10 recognised In the
text a. a divine organisation. IL ID
the combustion OF rational being
fer the security oiright, II is Gods
ordinance, and answers 10 what IL
godlike In our nature. IL ID 90 serve
the cause OF human liberty by the
most public aud sllemn reyerencs for
right, for justice, Tor the general good,
and the protection OF virtue and
morality. The objects Of government
and the safeguards against u are thua
sel out In the Constitution OF Tsnnes-
see. declaration Of .rights:
"Section THAT all power 10 inhe.
rent In the people. and all free govern.
ments are founded on their authority,
and Instituted for their peace. safety
and happiness. for the advancement
Of these ends, they have al all times
an inallenable and indeieahible right
TO alter, reform or abolish the govern
ment In such manner az they may
think proper"
' Morality Ia the life OF communities,
and In proportion AZ people enslavC
! themselves TO sin public justice bO'
comes polluted, statutes grow impo
tent, uuphncipled men usurp the
places OF authority and power, and
turn fee institutions into Instrument
Of oppression. Duing the dark 1ayI
OF the tirst revolution, Nine. Roland
when passing by the Statue OF Liberty,
on the ground where the Ruillotine
was aIterwId erected, said; "0l Lib
eriy Liberty hos many crimes are
committed In thy name."
2 Submission 10 law Ia the duty
Of man 10 government aud 10 God,
This idea oil law carries with II re-
a,fainl. II recognizes superior au
thorty which has The right 20 direct
10 control, or 10 restrain. We heai
frequently In these days the CITY
thai the enforcement Of certain laws
such a. the lass Tor the proper OBJ
eervanoe OF the Sabbath, gpming, etc.
aud the present effort on the part o.
the people Of the State 10 amend The
Constitution, 10 antagoniatic TO per
sonAl liberty. What Ia personal lib
erty7 Who enjoys ~ Certainly MOI
these who live In civilized communi
ties, Toe only persona who EMO,
pers nal liberty are outlaws and bar
bafians. When | was In Paris
Noticed these words on every public
building, Liberty, Equality, Fra
tornity," on the Nolre Dame, Made
line and Pantheon, a. well ~ tbs
Boune and Chamber Of Deputies
These words we're carved by order o.
the lawless Communs during lie iratii
cldal aud bloody tyranny over ever,
human rights tyranny that dslugeS
the streets Of Paris with the pures
blood Of ffsnea; q tyranny, II unsup
pressed, would have sprssd anarchy